16 Gripping Images from Kiev's Day of Fire and Blood
Kiev's Independence Square, the site of a bloody, fiery battle between riot police and anti-government protesters yesterday, is still smoldering.
Hundreds were injured and dozens were killed on Tuesday as authorities attempted to rout protestors from their camp in Maidan, as the square is called; on Wednesday morning, the livestream—which many of us found ourselves unable to turn off—showed calm crowds amid billowing smoke and remnants of fires.
Protestors have been occupying Maidan for months in protest of the government of Ukranian president Viktor Yanukovych, whose strongly pro-Russia policies have divided Kiev.
Below, a selection of images from the clash.
Anti-government protesters protected themselves with shields during clashes with riot police. Image by Sergei Chuzavkov via AP
Anti-government protesters sleep on the floor inside the Mikhailovsky Monastery, which has been converted into a makeshift hospital. Image by Brendan Hoffman via Getty
Anti-government protesters walk amid debris and flames near the perimeter of Independence Square. Image by Brendan Hoffman via Getty
Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Maidan. Image by Brendan Hoffman via Getty.
Anti-government protesters. Image by Brendan Hoffman via Getty.
Independence Square seen from above. Image by Alexander Koerner via Getty.
An anti-government protesters throws a Molotov cocktail. Image by Alexander Koerner via Getty.
Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square. Image by Brendan Hoffman via Getty.
Fires burn in Maidan. Image by Alexander Koerner via Getty.
An auditorium inside the Trade Unions Building, which has served as the de facto headquarters for the anti-government protest movement, is filled with smoke and flames as the building burns. Image by Brendan Hoffman via Getty.
Anti-government protesters use a catapult during clashes with riot police. Image by Efrem Lukatsky via AP.
Riot police clash with anti-government protesters outside Ukraine's parliament. Photo by Efrem Lukatsky via AP.
An anti-government protester throws a stone. Photo by Efrem Lukatsky via AP.
An anti-government protester finds cover. Photo by Efrem Lukatsky via AP.
Anti-government protestors carry a wounded policeman. Photo by Efrem Lukatsky via AP.